Wherify, American Network Launch GPS-Based Personal Location Service in Brazil

Oct

3

2005

Wherify Wireless, Inc., a leading developer of wireless location products and services, and American Network Computadores, a leading distributor of computing, network and communication systems in Brazil, today announced an agreement that would position the two firms as key players in the Brazilian Location-Based Services market. Under the agreement, American Network Computadores have committed to purchasing an initial 100,000 Wherifone G550 GSM/GPS Locator Phones over a twelve month period and will work with Brazilian operators and service providers to offer a suite of Wherify-enabled communications and GPS location/safety services. Wherify’s Global Location Services Center will provide the core location management and mapping support.

“We’re very excited to be working with American Network Computadores, a leader in Brazil’s technology and communications services, to bring the benefits of Wherify’s Enhanced-GPS technology to Brazil,” said Timothy Neher, Founder and CEO of Wherify. “Brazil is a key market for us, and we’re looking forward to supporting American Network Computadore’s roll-out of cutting edge Wherify-enabled location services.”

“Wherify’s location solutions, which includes the Wherifone â€” the world’s smallest GSM/GPS locator phone â€” allow us to tap new market opportunities and provide consumers, businesses and public agencies with the latest in personal location technology,” said Samir Couri, Director of Technologies of American Network. “We think that Wherify’s technology will offer real safety and security benefits to the Brazilian public, and help make Brazil a global leader in personal location services.”

The Wherifone provides affordable peace-of-mind to the modern mobile family. The slim, small and lightweight Tri-Band GSM cell phone (900/1800/1900 and 850/1800/1900) weighs under 70 grams and features incoming and outgoing calling, five programmable buttons for one touch dialing, a headset jack, and a backlit LCD display.

The absence of a traditional dial pad helps parents and caregivers manage the expense of out-going calls, and provides ease-of-use. As well as two-way voice calling, the Wherifone features Enhanced-GPS location technology that lets it be located in lightly obstructed areas, such as many types of woodframe buildings and vehicles, and under dense foliage. The cell phone is supported by a Location Service Center which can be accessed 24 X 7 by telephone or the Internet to locate and plot a device’s position on both street maps and aerial photographs.

Small businesses can also use the Wherifone to manage and communicate with mobile workers, manage the location of small fleets of trucks or delivery vehicles and coordinate dispatch destinations with drivers. The preprogrammed one-touch dialing buttons also help the small business owner manage communications expenses. The absence of a traditional dial pad prevents workers from using the Wherifone for personal calls and incurring unauthorized expenses, while at the same time insuring they can make necessary calls to up to five pre-defined locations.